GoDaddy.com driver, Danica Patrick, qualified 32nd for the STP Gas Booster 500 at Martinsville Speedway in Martinsville, Virginia. Due to an engine swap, Danica will be starting at the rear of the field.
When asked how the strategy has changed today for the No. 10 GoDaddy Chevrolet, crew chief, Tony Gibson said,
“Well it kind of sucks, because anybody you can put between you and the leader is huge in this race. It was a bad deal yesterday, but we had to do it. Our strategy is to do the opposite of the leaders. If they pit we will stay out and vice versa. If they stay out, we will pit and get our tires and let them run 30-40 laps and we will stay out…whatever we have to do to get track position at some time. Hopefully we can stay ahead of the leader long enough to catch some cautions so we can get some people between us and the leader.”
The Sprint Cup Series Rookie of the Year contender has struggled since her impressive season debut winning the pole and finishing 8th at Daytona International Speedway. Patrick’s other Sprint Cup Series finishes this season include 39th at Phoenix International Raceway, 33rd at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, 28th at Bristol Motor Speedway, and 26th at Auto Club Speedway.
Martinsville is always a huge hurdle for rookies. A solid finish with the race car in one piece will be a victory for Patrick today.
